AsianYachting - April
2007
News and Views
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Distribution: Emailed to over 2700 recipients on all points of the compass. Known to be read by sailors as far north as Iceland to the extremes of the Southern Ocean. Also found hidden away (For future consumption) on computers operated by some of Europe's business elite to visiting royalty at posh oriental Clubs in the far east.
AsianYachting.com is now a major yachting news provider in Asia which averages over 3000 page views per day.
CONTENTS
1.
EDITORIAL - AsianYachting
Center opens at PD
World Marina
2.
TEAM NEWS - AC
skirt dropping
& Predicting
the outcome of the AC
07
3.
AUSTRAL
- ASIAN NEWS - Regatta
and Boatshow round-up and
all the sailing news from the Asian region
Up next - Melbourne
Osaka Race continues
San
Fernando Race in
April Top
of the Gulf Regatta
and
Koh Samui Regatta in May
4. INTERNATIONAL NEWS - MINI
PAVOIS and Exciting new season for the IMOCA class
Up next - VELUX
5 OCEANS continues - America's Cup news on AY
5. WORLD SPEED RECORDS - The new Giant Groupama
3 ready to rock & roll
6.
"Unluckiest sailors of the month"
- Maud
Fontenoy finishes
under jury rig - Graham
Dalton's Brazil Curse
Goto
Archived
AY
News
& Views and
Race Reports 2006-07
2005-06
2004-05
2003-04
2002-03
2001-02
2000-01
98-99
1.
EDITORIAL
The skirt dropping ceremony in Valencia was successfully completed on April Fools day - See what the designers have to say here... Sunday's "Unveiling Day" (See Photos) is a crucial stage in the battle for the 32nd America's Cup and signals that the longest running sporting event since 1851 is finally underway. Barely 48 hours later, on 3rd April, the first start gun will sound marking the start of Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 13 fleet racing regatta. See Team News (Below) for 2.1 Predicting the outcome of the AC and starting today to keep our Asian readers up to date we will stream linked news headlines from http://www.americascup.com on our AY frontpage for the duration of the Cup.
Meanwhile
on the home front April 5th is the start of the Hong
Kong San
Fernando Race, the penultimate event on the AY
Grand Prix Skipper
& Yacht Championship. Early May 3-7th the Top
of the Gulf Regatta kicks of the SW tradewind racing season
in the Gulf of Thailand. At the end of May the 2006-07
Season ending Koh
Samui Regatta promises to bring a thrilling crescendo to
the annual championships. All the racing class boats at the recent President's
Cup swore that they will be turning up at Koh Samui and lively
bar discussions were heard about forming a East Asian circuit in years
to come. More on this latter and all the regatta news can be found in
the Asian Section below.
AsianYachting
is now ready to take the Learn to Sail
with Asian Yachtmasters
keelboat training scheme onto the next level and have established the
first commercial AsianYachting
Center in Malaysia.
Apartment
B-1-8 Straits View at PD
World Marina in Pt Dickson, Malaysia has been converted
(See Location
Map and Google aerial photo) During April we intend kicking
of with the Discover Keelboat Sailing
program on our signature Miri
Magic 8 racing yacht. No experience is necessary and participants
will receive a brief taste of sailing and a hands on approach to sailing
on a racing yacht. Persons wanting to further their sailing experience
can go onto the 2-Day Introduction to Sailing
course that combines Classroom Theory Instruction and Practical Sailing
Sessions. The basic aim of the AsianYachting
Center is to provide a place
where interested people can come together to Learn
to Sail and serious sailors can develop the necessary
skills to go on and successfully compete at regional regattas and match
racing events in Asian waters. Also an ideal spot for competitive sailors
wanting to form racing teams or make a career out of sailing can come
together and enjoy some warm hospitality and exchange ideas. All the info
on AY
Courses, Dates, Times and Prices are at: http://asianyachting.com/AYmasters/classes.htm
You
learned the "Rules of the Road" before you sat behind the wheel
of a car - and you should do the same before taking the helm of a boat.
Learning the basics of boat operation and safety is best done before your
first trip to the marina or launching ramp. In fact, many countries require
privately owned power and sail boat operators to take boating education
courses and carry a license or certificate proving successful course completion
any time they're under way. Quite often many people have asked me - Why
take up recreational boating pursuits? Discover
Boating in the US lists 10 top reasons - Why rent or
buy a boat as well gives good tips on choosing and buying a boat plus
links to the all important annual maintenance and safety procedures can
be accessed from: http://www.discoverboating.com/reasons/topreasons.aspx
Happy Sailing
Capt Marty
2. TEAM NEWS
2.1
Two Platu 25's For Sale - THA
106 & THA 129
Length:
7.3m - Beam: 2.62m - Sail Area: 32.5 sqm - Displacement: 1,325 kg
These
two boats are the best and possibly
the
only Platu's for sale in Asia. The hulls have been totally renovated -
stripped and epoxied with new standing and running rigging installed in
2005. Ideal for National authorities looking to train keelboat racing
teams for the SEA Games in Pattaya this December that will be contested
on Platu 25's. Goto the full listing and comparative inventory page at:
http://asianyachting.com/boats/Platu25.htm
2.2
Predicting the outcome of the AC
By all reports this is to difficult to predict. Everyone talks about either
of the big four teams taking on Alinghi. What we are likely to
see is that some of the teams racing old boats last year, maybe the fourth,
fifth, down to eighth or ninth placed teams will be better prepared and
have raised their games a lot. That means across the board even giving
China Team a chance of winning the Louis Vuitton Cup and go on to challenge
Alinghi. The schedule for the Louis Vuitton Cup is quite punishing, especially
early on with very little down time during the two Round Robins. April
is still definitely spring, and previously racing in Valencia has never
started this early. February was 15-20 knots 75% of the time. Most teams
have designed their boats for 9-14 knots which is expected in June for
the finals. But to get to June, you have to survive April and May. Do
you need two rigs for the different conditions? The competition is going
to be tough.
AY
thinks there will be a number of "upsets". All this will mix
up the results a bit more than expected and create some anxiety for the
favourite teams that are "supposed" to be there in May. No doubt
it will be fast and furious for seven teams, the regatta will be a three-week
event for them (as the field of eleven challengers is reduced to 4 when
the semi-finals begin 14 May). You only have to look at the reality of
the situation to become extremely motivated. Philippe Presti from Luna
Rossa Challenge believes that the boats are now very close in terms of
potential and the real competition and the real difference will be made
by the team. "Everybody will want to have the best start, it will
be really essential. So, we have to look after the operation of afterguard,
the strategy and the capacity to quickly develop our tools and in particular
the sails". One thing is for sure that the defender Alinghi will
be there for the finals. AY
word of warning - Watch out for the Kiwi's who are ingenious at creating
something out of nothing and masters of skulduggery will be looking at
redeeming national pride as one of the best sailing nations in the world
after the loss four years ago. Is there a team without a token Kiwi aboard?
2.3
Viewing the Cup Online
Sail TV have just announced
that they will be broadcasting coverage of the 32nd America's Cup in Valencia
online through a deal with Alcatel-Lucent, the Official New Media Provider
for the event. Starting from Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 13 on April 3rd,
and continuing right through to the end of the America's Cup. They plan
to feature short daily Video News Releases and will be showing delayed,
embargoed broadcasts of the official TV highlights shows, plus live images
from around the venue that will be exclusive to the channel. All of this
will be available as 'Video-on-demand' and scheduled programming. Coverage
of the event will be available on a 24/7 basis at: http://www.sail.tv
2.4 New fleet available at Sunsail Asia
Get ready for a flood of activity at Sunsail
Asia with
new yachts being added daily to the Asian fleet.
New Sunsail 43's and Sunsail 39's are already available in Phuket and
Langkawi. Nha Trang, Vietnam reopens in May and will have an increased
fleet size. A new base is also planned for Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand.
They now operate a fleet of over 30 yachts with monohulls ranging from
33' - 50' and Catamarans from 39' to 41'. All yachts are available bareboat
or as crewed yachts on a daily, weekly or long term basis. For the less
experienced, they also operate an RYA
Sailing School offering 5 day sailing courses
from their Phuket base. The popular SO35's are available for the Top
of the Gulf Regatta and a special Regatta Package is available.
For many years now they have lead the way in opening up new Asian destinations
and are proud to give you a chance to discover some of the most intriguing
and unspoiled countries in the South East Asian region. Be one of the
first to charter a new boat by Calling +66 76 239057 Fax: +66 76 238940
Email: newyachts@sunsailasia.com
and sales@sunsailasia.com or
visit http://www.sunsailasia.com
3. AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS
3.1
All aboard for the San Fernando
Race
Seventeen competitors will grace the start line against the stunning backdrop
of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour at noon on Thursday 5 April for
the 30th anniversary of the San Fernando Race. With many of Hong Kong’s
racing boats having already traveled down to Boracay for the President’s
Cup, Sam Chan’s Ffree Fire 52 represents the only true racing yacht
in the fleet. However, while this popular biennial Category 1 race, billed
as 'Fun in the Sun' is one of the shortest offshore races (480nm) run
by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, it is not for the faint hearted. The
San Fernando Race Foundation set an ambitious target to raise $250,000
in support of the Full Gospel Faith Orphanage in San Fernando, the current
total stands at over $300,000 after an outstanding response by sailors
attending the Charity Dinner auction. With the invaluable support of Pole
Star and SkyWave who are contributing DMR 200 tracking units and satellite
airtime, armchair sailors can once again follow the progress of the fleet
online using Purplefinder technology at: http://www.sanfernandorace.com
3.2
Raimon
Land
has your retirement home in Thailand
Few
real estate companies in Asia enjoy the success of public-listed Bangkok-based
luxury property developer Raimon
Land. The company
has positioned itself as the developer of choice for buyers and investors
who seek the best in lifestyle developments that posses a
excellent track record of delivering quality residential projects.
From Bangkok to
Pattaya and Phuket the company has projects in all the
most sought-after areas
which proudly achieve high yield holiday rentals through their professional
management team. One aspect
that distinguishes Raimon Land
from its competitors is the company’s clear commitment to lifestyle
events and have made
a strong commitment to the yachting scene in Thailand by sponsoring
the Top
of the Gulf Regatta, Evason
Phuket
Race Week the prestigious Phuket
King's
Cup Regatta and
now the Koh
Samui Regatta More at: www.raimonland.com
or goto AY
Real-Estate page...
3.3 12th China International Boat Show
An insatiable hunger for luxury goods and a leisure lifestyle, plus a
quickly developing desire for first class living and a booming boat-building
industry are the drivers for the 2007 China International Boat Show. Staged
on April 5-8, 2007, Asia’s largest exhibition for maritime leisure
and boat building is maintaining its momentum of quick growth. Making
the extreme of its grandeur in the history with more than 25,000 sqm in
Shanghai Exhibition Centre, the show will feature more than 350 exhibitors,
including top Chinese shipyards and many overseas luxury yacht manufacturers.
More information at: http://www.boatshowchina.com
3.4
Laser SB3 the hottest new sailboat in Singapore
The Singapore Laser SB3 Fleet has rapidly grown to 10 boats with more
on the way are organising a Open House on the 14 & 15 April from 12
to 5 pm at Raffles Marina in Singapore. The boat can be rigged and ready
to sail in 30 minutes and has a no-hiking rule, which means race results
totally rely on skill and tactics of the sailors and you don’t have
to be the fittest crew on the water. Boats will be available for test
sail, short races, discussions with owners and free snacks and beer. For
priority test sails please contact Phil Blake or Kah Soon at philblake@rafflesmarina.com.sg
or constantwind@pacific.net.sg
3.5
Once again it is Top of
the Gulf Regatta time
The four day regatta (3rd-7th May) with the usual 10-20 knot breezes held
at Ocean Marina, Jomtien beach will have ten classes, running on three
courses with over 350 competitors not counting the nearly 100 kids competing
in the Thailand Optimist Nationals. In order to strengthen the keelboat
class, Ocean Marina will offer boats with a draft of 2.8m or less free
mooring for the week plus an additional week prior or after the regatta
if proceeding onto the Ko Samui Regatta. Should a boat require lifting
for cleaning etc the marina will offer lifting up to 15 tonnes and 5 meters
draft at high tide as well as hard standing at members rates. Boats can
remain on the hard FOC and re-launched prior to the regatta if draft in
excess of 2.8 m. They trust this will whet the appetite of the keelboat
fraternity to attend the Top of the Gulf, if not this year then possibly
in 2008. More info at: http://www.topofthegulfregatta.com
3.6
No entry fee for Arafura Games
Darwin, in Australia’s Northern Territory, will host the 9th biennial
Arafura Games from 12 – 19 May 2007. Teams from the Asia-Pacific
and, increasingly beyond, will compete vigorously against teams from Northern
Australia and representatives from other Australian states. The Arafura
Games have become known as an ideal springboard for up-and coming athletes
of tomorrow. Many use the Arafura Games as a natural lead-up to the South
East Asian and South Pacific Games. In 2007 the Laser, Optimist and RS:X
Sail Board are the selected classes for the sailing competition. In May
the Northern Territory's constant, dry climate and warm seas presents
unparalleled competition and sailing opportunities. These Games aren't
only about sport and competition, but 'next door neighbours' getting together
and sharing ideas, conversation and culture. So be a sporting neighbour
and come to the 2007 Arafura Games. Web site http://www.arafuragames.nt.gov.au
3.7
Unparalleled support for Koh Samui Regatta
Preparations for the 6th Koh Samui Regatta are well underway, with several
top class entries already confirmed and a record level of sponsorship.
Phuket based Image Asia Events have taken on the responsibility of organising
this year’s regatta. Managing director Grenville Fordham is also
the organiser of Phuket Raceweek, now in its fourth year and have the
distinct honour of organising the closing and opening events of the annual
racing season which starts in July and runs to June the following year.
In a recent press release Grenville said "They have been working
furiously behind the scenes getting to grips with the detail of organising
an event away from their Phuket base" Eighteen confirmed and provisional
entries, including Jelik, Abraxas, FfreeFire, Foxy Lady III, Happy Endings,
Mandrake, Yasooda and Panic!, had been received by 28 March. “The
word is that we can expect about 30 yachts and the first ever Firefly
850 one-design class racing in the Gulf of Thailand. ” said Race
Committee Chairman Andy Dowden. Full details can be found at: http://www.samuiregatta.com
For racing-related enquiries, please contact samuiregatta@image-asia.com
3.8
Melbourne to Osaka Race taking its toll
After
a slow start leaving Melbourne and persistent headwinds up the south east
New South Wales coast, the southerly buster finally arrived to propel
the fleet north and into warmer conditions. Broken fuel tanks, spinnaker
poles, booms, rudders and torn sails has seen a number of boats stopping
for repairs and a couple of retirements amongst the race leaders before
they got level with Sydney. The latest casualties are Jock and Hamish
MacAdie's Alex (broken boom) and Murray Bucknall and Jon Sayer's
RYU-JIN-FGI after hard running in large offshore swells damaged
their rudder forcing them to limp into Gladstone. Both skippers are devastated
as they came out strongly at the start leading the fleet of 14 yachts
for most of the first week of the race. Patrick Giudice/Brian Pattinson
on the Open 60 Gusto and COCORIN interland (Itaru Matsunaga/John
Bankart) now take over the fight for the lead, with Runaway (James
Ryssenbeek/Andrew McCole) just nine miles astern. Tamagomalu
(Makoto Hisamatsu/Jimmi Doherty, DK46 Dekadence (Phil Coombs/Peter
Walsh) and Hullabaloo (Jim and Joe O’Keeffe) are next best
about 150 miles behind Gusto, and having a race within a race
just south of Maryborough in Queensland. A Tsunami Warning was issued
to all competitors after a massive undersea earthquake near the Solomon
Islands (8 on the Richter scale) but no noticeable wave affect was felt
on the boats. For Argos tracker positions and all the news go to: http://www.osakacup.com
3.9 Warning to all offshore racers.
DK Yachts are warning all offshore racers to sit up and
take notice when one of their World Champion Mumm 30, Farr 40 or Mills
DK46 lines up on the starting grid. They just keep turning up and sailing
away with all the major prizes. Not only limited to major regatta's but
now more are trying their hands on ocean rallies and trans ocean events.
Check out Phil Coombs and Peter Walsh progress on the DK46 Dekadence during
the Melbourne Osaka Race (above) and how Ray Roberts on Quantum Racing,
became the most successful DK46 ever built so far. The Executive Chairman
Khalilur Rahman Ebrahim has commissioned a new DK46 that will be available
for charter this year at major events in SE Asian waters. Serious
Yachts for Serious Sailors
can be found at http://www.dkyachts.com
3.10
500-days to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Several Olympic licensed products were unveiled on March 27 to mark the
500-day countdown to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. They include eleven
categories of badges, pins and precious metal products, each of them produced
in less than 10,000 pieces. A commemorative gold piece priced at 8,800
yuan (£579) made with 99.99 percent gold, the one-ounce product
is the most precious product in the new series. A BOCOG official said
that more licensed products will be issued on the occasion of 400-day,
one year, 300-day, 200-day and 100-day countdown.
Beijing 2008 site http://www.sailing2008.org/OlympicSailingEN/briefs01.shtml
Olympic licensed products http://www.sailing2008.org/newsinfoEN/6573.aspx
3.11
BOAT ASIA 2007 aims
to dazzle the visitors
From 19th to 22nd April this year, Sentosa Cove will set the stage for
the prestigious Boat Asia 2007. In its 15th year, this international boating
exhibition looks set to launch on a record-breaking scale. Organiser Suntec
Integrated Media reports an increase in the number of returning and first
time exhibitors who will have on display an extensive range of marine
craft and boat charter services available to consumers in the region.
Boat Asia 2007 is a vital opportunity for boating manufacturers and distributors
to effectively reach out to discerning buyers in the region right at their
doorstep. Potential buyers have the opportunity to book a viewing of the
yachts on display via "Book a Boat Viewing" system on the official
website at: http://www.boat-asia.com
3.12 Regulations needed for Arabian Gulf pleasure boat market
A survey released from the third annual Gulf Boating Conference, held
during the Dubai boat show, called for the tightening of rules and regulations
on the 35,000 recreational craft plying the waters of the Arabian Gulf.
The new initiatives, according to a statement released from the conference,
include the tightening of boat registrations, greater attention to detail
on the region's sea and harbour charts, and clearer multi-lingual signs
and documents of where leisure craft can go. "There has been a dramatic
increase in boats of all sizes on the region's seas, but all too often
the current rules and regulations are not understood or adhered to,"
said Dr Mohammed Hamdan, chairman of the 3rd Gulf Boating Conference.
"In many cases some of the most basic 'rules of the road' are not
written down which causes difficulties for coastguard and harbour authorities
as well as private yachtsmen. Other discussions included 'Islamic Financing
for Yachts and Boats". Local and international banks have created
a range of financing options for potential boat owners, conference attendees
were informed, with packages often copying those available in mature markets
such as Canada, Hong Kong and the USA. http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20070216165135ibinews.html
3.13 Qingdao Clipper goes around again
On March 22 representatives from Clipper Ventures Plc, the company behind
the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race for non-professional sailors, visited
the city of Qingdao to sign the contract which will see Qingdao Clipper
compete in the Clipper Race for a second time. Sponsorship and Media Director,
David Stubley, and Operations Director, Colin de Mowbray, of Clipper Ventures
met with Ms. Zang Aimin, Vice Mayor and Deputy Chairwoman of the Sailing
Committee of BOCOG and with its Secretary-General Mr. Sun Lijie, and signed
the contract in a formal ceremony that will see the Clipper fleet return
to the city of Qingdao in February 2008 (just five months before the city
hosts the sailing in the 2008 Beijing Olympics) as part of the Clipper
07-08 Round the World Yacht Race. For further info and crewing positions
log onto http://www.clipper-ventures.com/0708
3.14
The Monsoon Cup 2006 surpasses expectations
Which was held Nov 29-Dec 3 in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia as part of the
World Match Racing Tour, and claims to offer the richest prize purse for
a sailing event, MR1 million (approximately $275,000), has concluded an
independent audit to learn of the cost benefit of the event by Brand Advantage
Australia, that measures both tangible and intangible assets through a
sophisticated economic model, has delivered results for both the Event
and sponsors surpassing expectations. The overall identified and assessed
market value has been determined at RM 315 Million (USD 90.5 Million)
when accounted against the financial commitment of RM 20.068 Million (event
costs). The Monsoon Cup in only its second year has delivered a Return
on Investment (ROI) multiplier of near 15 times on the event investment.
More at: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/07/monsooncup
3.15
Grand Banks wins Malaysian export award
Singapore's Grand Banks Yachts received the 2006 Export Excellence Award
last week on behalf of the Ministry of International Trade & Industry
in Malaysia. The company, which has its main centre of operations in Pasir
Gudang, Johore, Malaysia was recognised for long-term excellence in export
sales and its ongoing contributions to Malaysia's export economy. "We're
quite honoured to be recognised by the Ministry and the business community
here in Malaysia for our achievements," said Grand Banks CEO Bob
Livingston at the Industry Excellence Awards in Kuala Lumpur. "It
is a testament to the many years of outstanding work and unyielding dedication
of our management and staff in Malaysia." Grand Banks' main facility
is located in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia, which employs around 1,000 staff.
With more than 120,000sq ft of floor space on over 20 acres of land, it
is the largest of Grand Banks' two factories - and where every Grand Banks
yacht begins production. Full story http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20070228123927ibinews.html
3.16
Replica 162ft Chinese Junk being built in India
Mumbai-based Classicraft Marine Works is well advanced in building what
must be one of the largest wooden boats in the world, a 49.4m (162ft)-long
replica of a 15th Century Chinese Junk. The boat has been ordered by a
German client who will use it for charter business in the region. The
Junk, when completed, will weigh an estimated 700 tonnes with 500 tonnes
of Malaysian hardwood being used in its construction. The Junk is being
built to Class under the International Shipping Register in New Orleans
USA and will have nine guest cabins. Total cost of the project is approximately
€10 million and completion is scheduled for 2008. More at IBI newsletter:
http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsdesk/20070223105237ibinews.html
3.17
Malaysian Navy's Tunas Samudera in Tall Ships’ Race
The Tall Ships’ Races in the Baltic this year has received its 100th
entrant. Sail Training International, the organisers of The Tall Ships’
Races are supported by the City, Port and Province of Antwerp., run two
different Tall Ships’ Races in Europe, one in the Mediterranean
and another in the Baltic Sea area. In the Baltic Races, ships from 18
nations are currently registered. In addition to the Mexican, Cuautemoc,
entrants include Concordia, the vessel that serves as the campus for the
Canadian West Island College International’s “Class Afloat”
and the Royal Malaysian Navy's Tunas Samudera. With a little over two
months to go before both races commence, there is also plenty of opportunities
for young people, with or without experience, to sign up for the adventure
of their lifetime and take part. As with all The Tall Ships’ Races,
50 percent of all crew on board must be aged between 15 and 25. Details
are available on the Sail Training International website: http://www.sailtraininginternational.org
Details on the RMN Brigantine KLD Tunas Samudera at: http://www.tallshipsraces.com/Vessels/vessel.asp?vessID=503285
4.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
4.1 MINI PAVOIS takes off
Sixty skippers representing 9 countries will be running the Mini Pavois
2007 on Wednesday 25th April from La Rochelle. Qualifying race for the
Transat 6.50 Charente-Maritime/Bahia, the fourth edition of Mini Pavois
will be the first 2007 single-handed race of French Classe Mini. Some
skippers will have already sailed the Gran Premio d'Italia organized by
the Italian Classe Mini (Departure from Geneva in the beginning of April),
that race is also qualifying for the Transat 6.50 2007. http://www.classemini.com/index.php?action=article&numero=375
4.2 Exciting new season for the IMOCA class.
The line-up for the third edition of the Calais Round Britain on the 3rd
June is shaping up nicely with a great mix of new prototypes and top names
from the IMOCA circuit. At least twelve boats are expected in port on
the Opale coast at the end of May as they prepare for the 1850 mile sprint
across the most difficult seas in Europe. The lap around the British Isles
promises to be extremely important for all these teams, who must be firing
on all cylinders for either the Double-handed Transat Jacques Vabre (Transatlantic
race) starting on 3rd Nov or the Barcelona World Race (without stopovers)
on the 11th Nov. The Rolex Fastnet Race on 12th August – is also
a double handed race and considered a prologue to the Barcelona World
Race. The technological and architectural development amongst the 2000
and 2004 generation Imoca 60 footers, which have been widely optimised
over the past few seasons, and the brand new prototypes which are proportionally
more powerful upwind on paper have more canvas downwind. However, on this
extremely hazardous course, which very rapidly switches weather systems
and crosses what can be treacherous seas as soon as the wind increases,
the crews will doubtless be in for a few surprises. The big question is
whether the reference time held by Roland Jourdain in 2005 of 6 days 16
hours 43 minutes and 21 seconds will be beaten or not. Check it out at:
http://www.calaisroundbritainrace.com
4.3
Radical new Loop Keel revealed
Howes-Macnaghten Technology Ltd in the UK has patented a radically new
keel design that is said to offer significant benefits in both speed and
seaworthiness. Designed by Jonathan Howes, an aeronautical engineer and
keen sailor, the new Loop Keel (pictured) offers a range of benefits including
extra power from dynamic righting, improved keel efficiency and enhanced
resistance to broaching. It is also said to be highly stall-resistant,
even at extended leeway angles. "One of the loop keel's main advantages,"
says Howes, "is its ability to make any yacht more stable and better
behaved. In fact, in many conditions, the yacht will actually be faster.
The primary benefits, therefore, are significantly enhanced power and
sea-keeping ability." For more information, visit the Howes-Macnaghten
Technology website at http://www.hmtmarine.com
4.4
Russell Coutts 44 championship tour is announced.
The RC 44 Class Association moves into a new dimension for its second
year of existence by introducing an innovative sailing tour for its members.
Eight events will make up the 2007 championship with the first regatta
scheduled in Portoroz, between March 29th - April 1st. The 2007 circuit
will consist of eight events held in Slovenia, Croatia, Switzerland, Italy,
Portugal and the United Arab Emirates. The RC 44 regattas include an exciting
combination of fleet racing (owner driver rule) and match racing (no helmsman
limitation), with two rankings and one overall result. Other features
such as direct umpiring for the fleet races, leeward gates during the
fleet and match racing series and short courses mixed with some short
coastal racing will enhance the level of the competition. Seven teams
coming out of six nations started in the Portoroz regatta. Team Aqua from
Dubai is the overall winner of the Portoroz Cup, the first leg of the
2007 RC 44 Championship Tour. Having won both the fleet and the match
race events, Chris Bake’s team – with a 21 year old talent
at the helm – left no chances to Cro-A-Sail and Team Omega. He sets
new standards for the Class, and contributes to establishing it as one
of the world’s leading one design series. Regular updates on the
RC44 website at: http://www.rc44.com
and Portoroz Cup at: http://www.portorozcup.si
4.5 CAFFARI And GOLDING Form Alliance
For the first time in solo ocean racing, two British teams, Aviva and
Ecover, have agreed to develop and test their boats against each other
in the search for optimum performance. Dee CAFFARI and Mike GOLDING, two
British entries in the 2008 Vendée Globe, have announced they are
forming a technical alliance to share key technical data on the development
of their new Open 60 yachts.
5.
WORLD SPEED RECORDS
5.1
The new Giant Groupama 3 ready to rock &
roll
Franck Cammas and his 10-man crew are now on standby for an attempt at
the Columbus Route record. Until 23 April, Cammas and team, and maxi trimaran
Groupama 3 (the 105ft trimaran built to sail round the world in under
50 days) are standing by in Cadiz, ready to commence the Cadiz/San Salvador
3,884-mile sprint in attempt to break the 9 days, 13 hours, 30 minutes
and 18 seconds record held by American sailor Steve Fossett since 24 February
2003 aboard maxicat PlayStation. -- Yachting World, http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20070227120809ywnews.html
6. "Unluckiest sailors of the month"
6.1
Maud Fontenoy finishes under jury rig
15 March 2007 French yachtswoman Maud Fontenoy whose yacht L'Oreal suffered
a broken mast on 10th Feb (See March
Unluckiest Sailor) just days from the finish of her global
'wrong way' sailing challenge, has completed her voyage under jury rig.
Fontenoy who set off on her westabout, aboard her aluminium-built yacht
L'oreal-sponsored global sailing challenge from Reunion Island last October
dismasted while 900 miles from the Australian coast while heading towards
the Reunion finish line. She managed to erect a jury rig and at 1121 GMT
15th March succeeded in completing her 21,300-mile voyage which took a
total of 150 days, 23 hours and 48 minutes. Known previously for rowing
her way solo across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Fontenoy said she
was delighted she had finally brought her five-month journey to a successful
end. See http://www.maudfontenoy.com
6.2
DALTON'S BRASIL CURSE
March must mark one of the lowest months of the Velux 5 Oceans for Kiwi
skipper Graham Dalton onboard A Southern Man - AGD. Disaster has struck
again for Graham Dalton during his ill fated stay in Fortaleza, Brazil.
Since arriving on the 14th March to fix the cassette which holds his port
rudder after hitting a UFO in the middle of the night the kiwi skipper
has been struck by blow after blow of misfortune, not to mention a debilitating
sickness that caused him to collapse in the lobby of his hotel. Later
he discovered that all of his communication equipment, GPS, laptops, hand
held phones, cameras etc had been stolen from his unattended boat. Just
when you think it couldn't get it any worse - during a boat test prior
to re-joining the race he realised that the keel bulb was missing. Graham
Dalton rang Race Director, David Adams to inform him that “I think
my bulb has gone. It was blowing 8 knots and the boat fell over and I
tried to cant the keel and I couldn't see it. So I dived down, the visibility
was exceedingly poor but I could see that the bulb has gone." Dalton
returned to the marina in Fortaleza, Brazil to re-assess the situation
and is currently looking at his options. A new bulb is being built and
he hopes to rejoin the race but time may get the better of him. Event
media. http://www.velux5oceans.com
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